When Regina woke all her muscles were stiff, whatever it was that attacked her- the darkness; had taken a toll on her body. Memories of what happened assaulted her brain. it was like being torn apart from the inside out, every happy moment was replaced with something dark- fear. How could Rumple have lived with this for all those years and - oh god- Emma.
Memories of Emma, holding up the dagger, the darkness tearing her apart too until she was gone, replaced with a dagger with 'Emma Swan' written on the all stood there in silence just staring, disbelieving; it all happened so fast. Henry had chosen to stay with his grandparents apartment, he wanted to be close to what little was left of his other mother. Regina had gone back to her mansion alone, despite Robin's attempt to stay with her - I watched you die and then that happened, I just want to make sure you are safe he had argued with her but she needed time alone, to sleep; to process everything.
She heard pots and pans clattering in the kitchen downstairs. Maybe Henry is home, she thought. Pulling on her grey cotton robe over her 2 piece pajama set she made her way down the stairs, when she turned the corner she saw Robin breaking an egg into a frying pan.
Surprised but not entirely, she walked into the kitchen to greet him,"Good morning," stopping at the island in the centre of the room and leaning over it. Her voice was still gruff from sleep and her hair was likely still a mess, but he flipped the concoction in the pan and looked at her, smiled at her like she was the most beautiful woman in the world, despite her no makeup and bedhead.
"How did you get in here?" he didn't need to give her an answer simply a look that reminded her that his previous occupation was a thief. - I really need to make him a key, she concludes.
"I needed to check up and see how you were doing this morning." Regina felt her heart swell up a bit, but then guilt flooded through her, as much as she was relieved to have Robin back they still were working through things. it was one thing to forgive and move on but it was another to forget what had happened in the last few months.
Having Marian return, Robin's honor- his obligation she reminded herself and the child that they would now have to raise out of the most unpleasant of circumstances but they were here now- Together, and he's now standing in her kitchen making an omelet that smells absolutely delicious.
"you're making breakfast?"
"It's the least I could do." She slid her arms off the countertop straightening herself up, she closed the distance between them, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, he leaned down and captured her lips is a quick kiss, she could get used to this, "This is not exactly the circumstances I'd hoped." he gave her little grin that she happily returned. I suppose he could keep his previous offer now, there was nothing else standing in the way of them being happy, spending every morning waking up to his voice, his kisses.
"How did Henry take the news?" another surge of guilt. As much as she wanted to protect Emma from darkness for their son's sake she could not, it was Emma's choice, and deep down she knows that there was no other way- reminded himself that Emma is the savior - a hero if anyone could survive this it would be her, and Regina couldn't bring herself to shatter his hope even if she had her doubts.
"Not very well" She broke away from him embrace, he turned and moved the omelet he was cooking to a plate, still listening to her intently while he finished the task of preparing her breakfast. "He was upset that he destroyed the quill, he thought maybe he could change what happened."
Regina sets to work making coffee to go along with their breakfast, she goes to the cupboard and retrieves the french press. Takes the coffee beans from a jar on the counter and puts three scoops into the grinder. takes a kettle over to the sink and absently fills it with water. She is still so tired - the coffee will help "He couldn't actually do that could he?" Robin asks from behind her.
"No. At least I don't think so." She puts the kettle on the burner that was still warm from the pan with the eggs, which Robin had conveniently taken to the sink. When he's finished putting the dishes in the sink he sits at the kitchen island and watches her. when the water is boiled she puts the grinds and the water in the press and lets it steep. There is silence between them, neither of them have an answer to help Emma. So the conversation shifts to something more pressing for their attention "Are you ready for today?" Regina asks as she pulls two mugs out of the cupboard and brings them to meet him. he hands her a fork and she takes a bite of her now almost cold omelet.
Robin slouches, looks at the countertop,"Yes, It will be hard but , it will be closure." He pours himself a cup of coffee, black. He's going to need it, she thinks finishing a few more bites of her food. He reaches his hand across the table and grabs hers, squeezes. "You know, she would have liked you." He looks at her and their eyes meet. She'd met who she thought was Marian but it turns out she never did meet her.
"Yeah?' Without the threat of Marian hanging over their heads, Regina feels more curious to know who she actually was, not Zelena's paltry impression of her. It's okay to honor Marian, Robin had loved her. Zelena had taken her away from him, but she didn't take his memories. Regina feels a connection with the Marian he lost, something kindred.
"you have the same fiery spirit." He smiles. it;s her turn to give his hand a reassuring squeeze. She knows he needs this. Needs it to make sense of what happened, to find some closure in this mess. "Things would have been different if it had really been my Marian. She would have understood." There is no point in trying to talk him out of his guilt, she'd tried on the way back from New York, tried to tell him this wasn't his fault but he needed to bear the guilt, still needs to feel some sort of penance for his choices. She won't let him wallow in it not today.
"She sounds lovely" Regina says genuinely.
"She was." His pain reads on his face."I wish Roland could have known her."
No- she can't have him feeling like this not when he has to be strong today if only for his son's sake. They had wiped Roland's memories of who he's thought was his mother, for the best. Now moving forward they would all honor Marian through remembering her even if it meant an empty grave and a headstone with her name carved into it- and happy memories "He will, you just have to keep her memory alive for him."
"This memorial was a good idea." He finally agrees.
"Who's watching Roland?" Regina cleans up the rest of the dishes half full cups of coffee that have gone cold, on her plate with only a few bites taken out of it. Neither of them have had quite the appetite since they returned the other day. Probably for the best, with emotions running high. Everyone still reeling after the chaotic events of the last few days.
"Granny offered."
Robin stands and pulls Regina into his arms again. Nesting his head in the junction of her neck and shoulder. She wraps her arms around his shoulders in turn. his muscles are tight under his skin - a massage would probably do him some good. she lets herself sink into him. lets all the tension melt away as it seems to do when they are close, When he lifts his head to brush his nose against hers she can't help but tease. "She has a soft spot for you. it must be the dimples."
